Manchester Storm 2022-23 Roster: Signings, Quotes & More

Will the Manchester Storm’s 2022-23 squad lift them back into the playoff fight? Time will tell.

It’s all change at Planet Ice Altrincham, with Ryan Finnerty becoming the team’s general manager and installing former netminder Matt Ginn as his head coach.

The Storm have retained plenty of players in on-ice roles, too. Dallas Ehrhardt is back for a sixth season in Manchester, albeit this time as a player-assistant coach. He is joined by fellow returnees Scott Simmonds and Finlay Ulrick.

There are also plenty of new arrivals, including a reigning NCAA champion and a former Winnipeg Jets draft selection.

Without further ado, let’s introduce the Manchester Storm’s 2022-23 roster…

Last updated at 10:06 on Wednesday, 17 August; this is Manchester’s finalised squad.

Manchester Storm 2022-23 Goaltenders:

James Downie: Following a brief loan spell with the Nottingham Panthers, Downie is back for a second spin in Manchester. He impressed as a rookie, recording his first professional win against the Coventry Blaze on April 13.

James Downie, Manchester Strom (Image: Mark Ferriss)

Born in 2000, Downie is currently down under playing in the Australian Ice Hockey League for the Newcastle Northstars.

• Coach’s Verdict: “James had a really solid first professional season and it was great to see him given plenty of opportunity. He is a big goalie, moves well between the pipes, and is driven to get better each day. I am excited to work alongside him and continue his development.”
• Age: 22
• Height: 6’2”
• Catches: Left
• Nation(s): Australia / Great Britain

Hayden Lavigne: Despite only making 27 appearances, Lavigne was all over the place last season. Literally. He enjoyed emergency loan stints with the Allen Americans, Manitoba Moose, Reading Royals, Wheeling Nailers, and Newfoundland Growlers. After an impressive collegiate career with the University of Michigan, pencil him in as the starter in Manchester.

• Coach’s Verdict: “Hayden comes from a winning background, as he led Michigan State to the Frozen Four finals during his time with them. This is an excellent opportunity for him to settle somewhere and establish himself as a starting goaltender in Europe”
• Age: 26
• Height: 6’3”
• Catches: Left
• Nation(s): Canada

Manchester Storm 2022-23 Defencemen:

New Signings:

Kevin Ekman-Larsson arrives in Manchester from Karlskrona HK, a club in Sweden’s third division. He registered six assists in 31 appearances last season.

• Coach’s Verdict: “Kevin is a real solid defencemen and all-round hockey player. He is going to shore things up along the blueline and joins us with a wealth experience – that the rest of our young group can learn from.”
• Age: 27
• Height: 5’11”
• Shoots: Left
• Nation(s): Sweden

Zac Herrmann: The Strom aren’t getting a prolific point producer in Hermann. He made 12 ECHL appearances for the Cincinnati Cyclones last season, recording one assist. Before entering the professional ranks, the stay-at-home defenceman spent four seasons at Niagara University, excelling in the NCAA.

• Coach’s Verdict: “I will be expecting him to log big minutes throughout the season and his style will really suit the Storm Shelter. I feel like we have a real fans favourite in the making.”
• Age: 24
• Height: 6’0”
• Shoots: Left
• Nation(s): USA

Chays Ruddy: Another defensive defenceman, Ruddy made the jump from USports to the ECHL last season. He split 2021-22 between the Fort Wayne Komets and Kansas City Mavericks, recording six assists in 49 appearances.

• Coach’s Verdict: “Chays takes a huge amount of pride in clearing traffic out infront of net and is always willing to stick-up for his teammates.”
• Age: 24
• Height: 6’2”
• Shoots: Left
• Nation(s): Canada

Returning Players:

Dallas Ehrhardt: He’s been part of the furniture since 2016-17; Ehrhardt is back. He made seven appearances for Team GB at the World Championship, following a 32-point season with the Storm last term.

• Coach’s Verdict: “Dallas has been a top defenceman in this league for many years now and his experience will be relied on heavily in his new role as player-assistant coach.”
• Age: 29
• Height: 6’4”
• Shoots: Left
• Nation(s): Canada / Great Britain

Joe Hazeldine: Committed to the Storm through 2023-24, Hazeldine is one of the most exciting homegrown blueliners in the Elite League. He has plenty of upside and could slide up Manchester’s depth chart in the event of an injury crisis.

Joe Hazeldine, Manchester Storm (Image: Karl Denham)

• Coach’s Verdict: “I expect to see him take that next big step this year – in terms of his overall game. We have had conversations about becoming harder to play against in the d-zone and then letting his natural ability take over.”
• Age: 20
• Height: 6’1”
• Shoots: Left
• Nation(s): Great Britain

Ben Solder: Signed to a two-year contract, Solder has a crucial role to play in Manchester’s rebuild under Ginn. He was a part-time member of the Storm last season, topping up his 18 Elite League games with 34 appearances for the NIHL’s Leeds Knights. He is once again on a two-way contract.

• Coach’s Verdict: “Ben is a great talent and individual. It is a real luxury having the option to call him up and I know he is focused on securing a full-time role in the EIHL.”
• Age: 21
• Height: 5’10”
• Shoots: Left
• Nation(s): Great Britain

Zach Sullivan: It’s quite the feat for a defenceman solely developed in the UK to play 345 Elite League games before his 29^th birthday. Sullivan knows the feeling, though. He’s back for his fourth (if we count the Elite Series) season in Manchester.

• Coach’s Verdict: “I’m excited to get Zach signed up. He’s developed into a very steady and reliable defenceman over his time in this league. Sully is a great teammate and I’m expecting him to take another step forward and be an important piece for our D-core.”
• Age: 28
• Height: 5’9”
• Shoots: Right
• Nation(s): Great Britain

Manchester Storm 2022-23 Forwards:

New Signings:

Jesper Öhrvall split last season between Norway’s Fjordkraft-Ligaen and France’s Ligue Magnus, registering 2o points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 25 regular-season appearances.

• Coach’s Verdict: “Jesper is an exceptionally fast and skilled forward. He has played plenty of hockey in North America and understands the needs to get into the hard areas. His style is not that of typical Scandinavian, as he takes the body and plays with tenacity. 
• Age: 27
• Role: Right Wing
• Height: 5’9″
• Shoots: Left
• Nation(s): Sweden

Ryan Barrow: If signing a forward with leadership credentials was on Ginn’s wish list, his general manager made a nice pick-up in Barrow. He excelled as the University of Denver’s associate captain during his final two seasons in the NCAA, ending his collegiate career with 65 points (26 goals, 39 assists) and a national title in 168 outings.

Ryan Barrow, Denver Pioneers (Image: University of Denver)

• Coach’s Verdict: “He is joining us from a winning program at the University of Denver and will be able to play anywhere on a game night. He has chosen to sign with Manchester and turned down contracts within the league to play a bigger role for the Storm. He wants to be the difference maker and I am really excited to see what he can do when given the opportunity.”
• Age: 25
• Role: Centreman / Left/Right Wing
• Height: 6’2”
• Shoots: Right
• Nation(s): Canada

Jake Bricknell: Ginn believes the Storm have found a ‘hidden gem’ in defensive forward Bricknell. He isn’t slated to put up a tonne of points at Planet Ice Altrincham, but will add quality to Manchester’s middle-six.

Related: Manchester Strom Unearth ‘Hidden Gem’ Forward Jake Bricknell

• Coach’s Verdict: “Jake possesses a really heavy shot; he has a great release and enjoys putting pressure on the opposition crease. I feel like we have unearthed a hidden gem with boundless potential to make an impact on a nightly basis for our line-up.”
• Age: 25
• Role: Centreman
• Height: 6’1”
• Shoots: Right
• Nation(s): Canada

Stephen Johnson: Through two seasons in the ECHL, Johnson accumulated 47 points (16 goals, 31 assists) in 89 appearances for the Wichita Thunder. He arrives in the Elite League with impressive records in junior and collegiate hockey: 119 points in 226 QMJHL games; 76 points in 119 USports caps.

• Coach’s Verdict: “Stephen is a forward with excellent skating ability and whose work rate is second to none. He takes huge responsibility in handling the puck and enjoys finishing his checks – which is particularly important in our rink and across the league.”
• Age: 27
• Role: Centreman / Left/Right Wing
• Height: 5’10”
• Shoots: Right
• Nation(s): Canada

Michael Korol: Formerly the captain of Norwich University’s NCAA III squad, Korol will make his professional debut next season. Born in Kirkcaldy, he qualifies as a British skater and will feature in Manchester’s bottom-six.

• Coach’s Verdict: “Michael is an excellent character and huge personality – that cannot wait to start his professional career here in Manchester. He is an extremely hard-working individual; he is going to be one of our energy guys within the line-up.”
• Age: 25
• Role: Centreman
• Height: 6’0”
• Shoots: Right
• Nation(s): United Kingdom / Canada

Jordy Stallard: Selected in the fifth round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets, Stallard arrives in the Elite League with his best years ahead of him. He was a point-per-game player in USports and adds size to the Storm’s top-six.

• Coach’s Verdict: “He is coming off an injury and has not played many games in the last couple of years – but he has had a huge off-season and will arrive in Manchester prepared to go from the first puck drop.”
• Age: 24
• Role: Centreman
• Height: 6’2”
• Shoots: Left
• Nation(s): Canada

Cole Carter: After registering four assists in 17 appearances in the Czech second division, Carter arrives in the Elite League with a point to prove. He captained the Mississauga Steelheads in his final junior season, notching 68 points (35 goals, 33 assists) in 61 appearances.

• Coach’s Verdict: “Cole is a very dynamic offensive player – that is coming to us a little under the radar. He sees the ice really well and has the ability to find open space in dangerous areas. He has made the decision to sign in Manchester with other offers on the table, as he sees the Elite League as a great stepping stone for him to kickstart his professional career.”
• Age: 24
• Role: Right Wing
• Height: 5’10”
• Shoots: Right
• Nation(s): Canada

Returning Players:

Cameron Critchlow: A three-time USports University Cup champion, Critchlow is back for a fourth season in Manchester. He registered 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) in 54 games last term.

• Coach’s Verdict: “Securing the signature of Cam was a huge priority of mine and the clubs. He performs well in all situations and is an absolute dream to coach. Cam has worn the ‘C’ at all levels, within his career to date, all of which demonstrates his natural leadership capabilities.”
• Age: 30
• Role: Left Wing / Centreman
• Height: 5’9”
• Shoots: Left
• Nation(s): Canada

Tyson Fawcett: Ginn and Finnerty know what they will get from Fawcett. The diminutive forward has worked hard to prove the naysayers wrong throughout his career and enters 2022-23 hoping to build on his 30-point haul from last season.

Tyson Fawcett, Manchester Storm (Image: Mark Ferriss)

• Coach’s Verdict: “It is unsurprising to see how loved Tyson is within the dressing room and stands, and his return was a priority of mine to build upon our leadership core.”
• Age: 29
• Role: Right Wing / Centreman
• Height: 5’7”
• Shoots: Right
• Nation(s): Canada

Scott Simmonds: Since joining the Storm in 2019-20, Simmonds has built on his impressive résumé with the University of Guelph and Belleville Bulls. His points-per-game rate since landing in the UK? An eye-catching 0.66.

• Coach’s Verdict: “Having played with him throughout the entirety of his pro career, it is amazing to have witnessed his overall development and his offensive output has continually improved, as he has become accustomed to the professional game.”
• Age: 28
• Role: Centreman
• Height: 6’1”
• Shoots: Left
• Nation(s): Canada

Finlay Ulrick: Set for a bottom-six role, Ulrick returns to Manchester on a two-year contract. He scored seven points (four goals, three assists) in 42 appearances last time out.

• Coach’s Verdict: “I want Finlay to make use of the opportunities he is going to get, as I feel he has the potential to become a top-end British player in the not-too-distant future.”
• Age: 22
• Role: Right Wing
• Height: 5’10”
• Shoots: Right
• Nation(s): Great Britain